Desire Caught by the Tail (album)

Desire Caught by the Tail is the third solo album by Adrian Belew, released in 1986.[3][4]

Desire Caught by the Tail
Studio album by
Adrian Belew
Released1986
Recorded1985–86
StudioCreative Audio, Urbana, IL
GenreExperimental
Length32:59
LabelIsland[1]
ProducerAdrian Belew
Adrian Belew chronology
Twang Bar King
(1983)		 Desire Caught by the Tail
(1986)		 Mr. Music Head
(1989)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]

Unlike its two predecessors Lone Rhino and Twang Bar King (both of which were albums of art-pop songs with experimental stylings) Desire Caught By the Tail is an entirely instrumental and experimental record. It was recorded by Belew on his own, using multitracked treated electric guitar, guitar synthesizer and assorted percussion instruments.

Desire Caught by the Tail takes its name from the play 'Le Désir attrapé par la queue', written by Pablo Picasso. The album is in part inspired by Picasso, with both the sound and the composition style being more abstract and harsh than much of Belew's other repertoire.

Critical reception

The New York Times wrote that "by multitracking guitars and percussion, [Belew] can follow odder whims - inventing quasi-Middle Eastern folk melodies (and making his guitar sound like a musette), melting down tunes halfway through, piling up electronic yowls and twitters. Mr. Belew mixes eerie resonances and slapstick timing; even in instrumentals, his grin comes through."[5]

Track listing

All tracks written by Adrian Belew

  1. "Tango Zebra" – 7:30
  2. "Laughing Man" – 5:28
  3. "The Gypsy Zurna" – 3:03
  4. "Portrait of Margaret" – 4:00
  5. "Beach Creatures Dancing Like Cranes" – 3:28
  6. "At the Seaside Café" – 1:50
  7. "Guernica" – 2:00
  8. ""Z"" – 5:40

Personnel

Technical
  • Stan Hertzman – executive producer
  • Rich Denhart – engineer
  • Jim Bartz – assistant engineer
  • Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, NYC – mastering
  • Bruce Breckenfeld – technician
  • Paul Hixson – photography (front cover)
  • Chris Covatta – photography (back cover)
  • Margaret Belew – paintings
  • Sotto Vocé – cover design

References
  1. Popoff, Martin (September 8, 2009). "Goldmine Record Album Price Guide". Penguin – via Google Books.
  2. Desire Caught by the Tail at AllMusic
  3. "TrouserPress.com :: Adrian Belew". www.trouserpress.com.
  4. Prown, Pete; Newquist, H. P. (February 1, 1997). "Legends of Rock Guitar". Hal Leonard – via Google Books.
  5. Pareles, Jon (November 28, 1986). "Pop and Jazz Guide" – via NYTimes.com.
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